The ultimate Kenya safari guide

The original and the best. Yes, it’s the obvious choice. But, there’s a reason so many people choose it for their Kenya safari. It all comes down to the wildlife diversity. The 90+ mammal species is impressive enough, but factor in the bird numbers and you’re looking at over 650 different animals to spot. The habitat isn’t that diverse – you’re mainly looking at open grassland. It’s not all acacias, sycamores and arid plains though. The Mara River hides hippos and crocodiles and provides a home for otters. As well as the Big 5, expect to see hyenas, impalas, bat-eared foxes, topi, secretary birds, honey badgers and much, much more. 

Bit of a curveball this one, but to tick off as many animals as possible while you’re in Kenya, consider pairing your Maasai Mara safari with a week on the coast. More specifically, spend time at Kenya’s Watamu Marine National Park. If the coastal coral gardens don’t woo you, the chance to swim with turtles, dolphins, manatees and black-tipped reef sharks just might. Then there’s the added whale shark, humpback whale and black kite sightings to consider. Around 150 corals have set up home here, providing a habitat to 600 different marine species. Overhead, there’s around 100 species of bird to spot, including the small and colourful African pygmy kingfisher. On the shoreline? The wildlife watching continues. The most impressive? It has to be the sizeable, and fearsome, giant monitor lizards.  

If this isn’t your first safari, consider spending some time in Sibiloi National Park to tick off some of Kenya’s rarer, endemic species. Grevy’s zebras, the Gerenuk and Beisa oryx can be spotted in the park, which is also a hotspot for fossils and archaeological finds. Though, your eyes are more likely to be on the nearby shores of Lake Turkana, home to over 10,000 crocodiles. Sibiloi’s geography makes for a nice change too. The UNESCO World Heritage site comes with roses, woodland and euphorbia – providing food and habitat for yet more animals. If it’s the fossil intel that’s brought you here, do swing by the Koobi Fora Museum. There’s a 3 million year old tortoise shell to study – and the chance to learn about the ancient human remains that have been found here over the years. 

Not keen on zipping around by jeep? Take to the skies instead. Hot air balloon safaris soar over the skies of the Amboseli National Park – and the Masai Mara, when conditions are right. You’ll get to see the epic scale of the grasslands, and the herds of zebra, wildebeest or gazelle below. Tours are usually small in number – there’s only so many people you can fit in a basket, and leave at dawn to catch the sunrise over the savannah.  

To get a smidge closer to the action, there’s always the option of a walking safari. Though, some might consider this getting a little TOO close. Again, you’ll need to be up early, as the tours usually start before the sun gets too overwhelming. For anyone who’s not an early riser, there’s always the option to join the early evening walks. Often led by an experienced Maasai Mara tribe member, you’ll get the chance to do some real tracking and learn a few tips from the pros. 

Take to the water to get closer than you’d potentially like to hippos and crocodiles. On Lake Nakuru, naturalists hop aboard to help you figure out your flamingoes from your crowned cranes. And who could say no to an onboard sundowner on the later lake tours? A little more refined than bobbling around on the back of a jeep – and still gives you chance to see the Big 5 from the waters. 

The best time to go on safari in Kenya is during the dry seasons. And this has far more to do with the wildlife than any rain splashes on your expedition gear. When the rains dry up, you’re more likely to see higher numbers of animals gathered around the watering holes dotted across the grasslands. At the same time, those precious water sources become the setting for the dramas we see play out on those Attenborough docs we love so much. When both antelopes and lions share a drinking spot, it’s only a matter of time until there’s some stalking and preying action. Add in the HUGE annual wildebeest migration – which also lands during a dry season and you’ve got yourself one hell of a safari show.